Now Commenting On:

Rizzo confident that Campana will succeed elsewhere

Email

Print

MESA, Ariz. -- As much as some Cubs fans hated to lose Tony Campana, Anthony Rizzo says the team needs more power than speed, and manager Dale Sveum is counting on the first baseman to provide that punch.

"I think it'll be good, a fresh start," Rizzo said Thursday of Campana, who was designated for assignment to make room for outfielder Scott Hairston. "I just told him to keep his head up. He's a good player. He'll be successful."

Campana is fast, but has had trouble getting on base consistently enough to utilize his speed.

"I can think of teams in my head right away who could bring [Campana] in," Rizzo said. "I think right now, our team isn't a fit for him. We need more power than speed."

The Cubs ranked 14th in the National League in slugging percentage and 12th in home runs last season. They would appear to need a little more pop in the lineup.

"You need power, there's no question about it," said Sveum. "When you put two-way players together who keep the line moving and you have six guys in your lineup capable of hitting 20 home runs, that's when you have an offense that can start rolling and can score a lot of runs."

Rizzo will be one of those counted on to provide the power. He hit 15 home runs and drove in 48 in 87 games last season with the Cubs.

"I've got all the confidence in the world to have him double what he did last year," Sveum said. "He came up and obviously did well and had a little hiccup for a 10-day span, but other than that he was pretty good the whole time. ... Will there be some bumps along the road? Of course there will be. [But if] you give Rizzo 600 plate appearances, there's going to be some damage done."